FRANCE’S THREE POINTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 18 March 1936, Page 9

FRANCE’S THREE POINTS

THE LOCARNO DISCUSSIONS BRITAIN ASKED TO GUARANTEE FRONTIERS (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received Marcli a.m. LONDON, March IT. It is understood that Germany is ready to send a delegation to London on condition that further negotiations are deferred until after the plebiscite on March 29. The Locarno Powers met secretly at 11 a.m. and it is believed on good authority that the Trench policy is firm on three points. These are: — (1) That the question of the compatibility of the Franco-Soviet Pact and Locarno be submitted to the Hague Court. In the event of a decision against Germany, that her troops should be withdrawn from the Rhineland m accordance with the Locarno Pact. (2) In the event of negotiations, that a commission should be despatched to the frontier to see that no breaches of Locarno, or alteration of the dispositions of the forces durii!§ the discussions, occur. (3) Britain should guarantee the inviolability of the French and Belgian frontiers on the lines of the abortive 1919 treaty. His Majesty the King received M. Flandin and M. Van Zeeland this afternoon personally to learn the French and Belgian viewpoints.

GERMANY COMES IN. INVITATION ACCEPTED. DELEGATION FOR LONDON. Received March 18, 10.40 a.m. LONDON, March 17. It is announced that Germany has agreed to send representatives to London on Thursday provided the Locarno Powers agree to discuss Herr Hitler s proposal. The League Council is at present deliberating on this question in secret. „ . , Herr Von Hoescli (German Ambassador) communicated to Mr S. M. Bruce at the secret meeting of the Council Herr Hitler’s reply, which it is understood was a very brief acceptance or the invitation. He states that Herr Von Ribbentrop will attend the Council meeting on Thursday. In the meantime Herr Von Hoescli is “placed at the disposal of the Council.” The German delegation will come to London by air. Besides Herr Von Ribbentrop it will consist ot fifteen or twenty Foreign Office experts, interpreters, and secretaries. The secret session of the Council lasted an hour. . Opening the public session ot tne Council, Mr Bruce read a telegram from Berlin accepting the invitation. He said: I have asked Herr Von Hoescli to urge the German Government to expedite the ni rival ot the delegation so it can attend the nieeting of the Couticil to-molTow. Meanwhile, on behalf of the Council, I have asked Herr Von Hoescli to sit here tonight as observer or delegate. CALL FOR UNISON. BY FRENCH PRESS. Received March 18, 10.20 a.m. PARIS, March 17. The French Press, for the first time in years, is almost unanimous in saying that all peaceful nations, headed by Britain, should show themselves closely united to assist one another if necessary. Sections of the Press are annoyed at the continuous secrecy in which the negotiations are enveloped. Other papers are dissatisfied with the slowness of the negotiations, declaring that after ten days’ talk there is no result. FRENCH FEARS. GERMANY’S “SPRINGBOARD.” LONDON, March 17. The Manchester Guardian’s Paris correspondent says the occupation of the Rhineland has not only completely shaken French confidence and faith in the effectiveness of international agreements, at least as far as Germany is concerned, but also has greatly weakened France’s military position, firstly, by giving back to Germany her traditional “springboard” for an invasion; and, secondly, if Germany builds fortifications by rendering her western frontier practically immune against attack with a force of from 200,000 to 300,000, while the rest of the German forces could strike France through Holland or Belgium, thus greatly increasing Germany’s chances of waging a successful war. Therefore, it is argued that the Rhineland fortifications are a European problem and must be accounted for in any settlement respecting Germany. . “THE NEXT WAR.’’ RHINELAND SCHEME. (Times Cables.) LONDON, March 16. Sir lan Hamilton, in a letter to the Times, declares that the Rhineland zone was not demilitarised in order to prevent an outbreak of hostilities but to ensure that France would not be delayed at the outbreak of the next war in striking immediately into the heart of the enemy’s country. He adds that Czechoslovakia, under the Franco-Soviet Pact, will become an aerodrome for swarming Russian bombing ’planes. Most soldiers agree that Germany has escaped this net just in time.

DIPLOMATS BUSY. GERMANY READY TO ATTEND, MORE DETAILS WANTED. Received March 18, 10.25 a.m. LONDON, March 17. It is. understood that M. Flandin has communicated the British suggestions to the French Government. The Locarno Powers will meet again at 10 o’clock to-night. The Foreign Minister (Mr R. A, Eden) after a. private conversation with M. Flandin, communicated with Berlin. German sources indicate that Herr Von Neurath, Herr Von Ribbentrop and Dr. Gaus are ready to. come to London at short notice. The meeting of the Locarno Powers adjourned at 12.30 p.m. until after the afternoon’s League Council meeting. It is understood that Mr Eden handed the conference a document containing the proposals relating to the application of the Locarno Treaty to the present circumstances. The French delegation held a conference on it at their hotel after the adjournment of the conference. After a short private meeting the League' Council held a secret session to discuss the outcome of Mr Eden’s direct conversations with the German Foreign Office this morning. It is understood that Germany asked for more precise details of the basis of equality on which she is invited to attend the conference, and also demands assurances that Herr Hitler’s proposals will be discussed. France, however, is not prepared to agree to such assurances unless she obtains some satisfaction from Germany. THE SOVIET PACT. SUBMISSION TO THE HAGUE. LONDON, March 16. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says that M. Flandin intends to urge that the Franco-Soviet Pact must be considered by the Hague Court with a view to establishing whether it is out of harmony with the Locarno Treaty, and will demand that Germany abide by the decision and withdraw the Rhineland forces if the verdict is against her. There has been considerable conflict regarding the terms of the actual invitation to Germany to attend the League Council. The official version is that Germany was invited as a contracting party to the Locarno Treaties and not, as originally intended, under Article 17 of the Covenant of the League, which might have increased Germany’s difficulty in accepting. ITALIAN COMMENT. GERMANY CONDEMNED. ROME, March 17. The Vatican organ Osservatore Romano belatedly strongly condemns Germany’s treaty-breaking. , Whatever reasons Germany may have had for reoccupying the Rhineland, she ought to have had recourse to the League as stipulated in the Locarno Treaty. International justice is by no means perfect, “but this is no justification for recourse to force and breaking up treaties.” The article, which is believed to have been inspired by the Pope, created a great impression in Rome. POLLING DAY. ALL MUST VOTE. FRANKFURT-ON-MAIN,-March 16. A dozen of the Labour Corps men forming a cordon round the platform fainted during Herr Hitler’s speech. A great military tattoo followed the p'eeting. Troops marched through Berlin. In celebration of the conscription anniversary Cologne Nazis have been made personally responsible for inmates or every house voting on election day. Invalids will be taken to the poll by ballot 6 ° bj ' eCt b<2ing a 100 per ccnt -'